Secrets of Cartier

The history behind Cartier's collections.

Bazaar reveals the rich history behind one of the world's most cherished brands as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in the U.S.

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Cartier

Star Light, Star Bright

Cartier introduced its latest out-of-this-world collection of jewelry on the runway of Phillip Lim's fall show. A modern interpretation of the Trinity design, this celestial set of rings, bracelets, and earrings features a glittering star motif made of diamonds. Cartier Trinity ring with diamonds, $14,400. 800-CARTIER

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Cartier

Grace Kelly

In 1956, Prince Rainier gave Grace Kelly a diamond-and-ruby eternity band for their engagement. Everything changed, however, when he visited her in L.A. and noticed that out there, bigger is better. He then purchased Cartier's 10.47-carat emerald-cut diam

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Cartier

Trinity Collection

Released in 1924, this iconic collection boasts three colors of 18-karat gold that symbolize the different stages of a relationship: white for friendship, rose for love, and yellow for fidelity. Cartier Trinity ring, $1,050

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Cartier

Love Collection

An update on the medieval chastity belt and once sold only to couples, the original two-piece Love bracelet, released in 1970, has screws that lock and unlock with a tiny screwdriver, representing never-ending affection. Sofia Coppola and Katie Holmes are

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Cartier

Fifth Avenue Mansion

The six-story Renaissance-style manse in New York City was acquired in 1917 via a trade with a banker for $100 and a double strand of beautiful pearls, which at that time were valued at a million dollars.

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Cartier

Panthère Collection

Style icon Chloë Sevigny has claimed her most prized piece of jewelry is her Panthère ring. Introduced in 1914, the motif, also available in necklaces, brooches, and pendants, was inspired by Louis Cartier's fellow jeweler Jeanne Toussaint, who was nick

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Cartier

Elizabeth Taylor

In 1969, a 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond went up for auction with such bidders as Richard Burton, Aristotle Onassis, and a Cartier exec (who eventually won the prize). Angered by defeat, Burton bought the piece the next day for $1.1 million to give to T

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Cartier

María Félix

Rumor has it that the eccentric Mexican actress entered Cartier's Rue de la Paix boutique with a small fishbowl containing a pet baby crocodile. She then had the design team create custom interlocking jeweled versions of the creature in the same size. Lat

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Crocodile Necklace

Cartier crocodile necklace, by special order

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Cartier

Daisy Fellowes

A style maker from the get-go, Fellowes was the Paris editor for Harper's Bazaar in the 1930s, and many magazines hailed her as "the world's most elegant woman." The daughter of the Duke Decazes and Isabelle Singer (of the sewing machine fortune),

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Cartier

Baignoire

Rereleased in 2009, the oval-shaped watch is named after the French word for bathtub.

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Cartier

Ballon Bleu

Somewhere between classic and futuristic falls the look of this 2007-born watch, which is named for its sapphire cabochon and has sword-shaped hands.

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Cartier

La Doña

Launched in 2006, this decorative piece inspired by María Félix features a trapeze-shaped dial. The gold scalelike band mimics her pet crocodile.

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Cartier

Pasha

Recognized for its masculine qualities, this round watch has a waterproof case and is among the brand's best sellers.

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Cartier

Roadster

Inspired by the field of automotive design, hence the name, this timepiece was originally made for men but has a unisex appeal.

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Cartier

Santos

Cartier's first wristwatch was named after aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to tell time without letting go of the controls of his flying machine.

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Cartier

Tank

Said to be based on the WWI Renault tanks, this has been worn by first ladies from Jackie O. to Michelle O.

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